Shared Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia Islands

The best part of this Mykonos boat trip is the contrast: you spend part of the day walking through ancient Delos, then cool off in clear water near Rhenia with a plate of grilled food in hand. I like the fresh BBQ buffet and the roomy yachts, which make this feel more like a laid-back day at sea than a loud party cruise.

I also like that you can choose your pace at Delos. Walk the ruins for about 90 minutes, or stay onboard for sun and swimming. The main caution is getting on and off the boat, especially in choppy water. The gangplank is not fixed, and the crossing can be rough on windy days.

Key points to know before you book

• Delos gives the cruise real purpose: You visit a UNESCO-listed archaeological site associated with Apollo, not just a pretty island.
• Rhenia is the swimming stop: Expect about two and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and relaxing onboard.
• The food is a genuine strength: The buffet includes pork skewers, beef and lamb kebabs, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, tzatziki, rice, fruit, wine, beer, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water.
• The boat is designed for comfort: Depending on group size, you may sail on the 89-foot Andreas or 72-foot Atlantis.
• Several useful extras cost more: Hotel transfers are €20 per person, Delos entry is €20, and a professional Delos guide is €45.
• The sea sets the mood: Calm water makes this a blissful outing, while wind can make boarding and the return sail uncomfortable.

Why this Mykonos cruise works so well

At about $151.16 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend six hours in Mykonos. But the price covers more than a boat ride. You get transport by yacht between three islands, a stop at one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, a substantial lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a crew escort.

I see the value most clearly if you want one day that mixes sightseeing and beach time. You do not have to organize a ferry to Delos, arrange a separate meal, or find a swim stop on your own. The day has a sensible rhythm: sail out, see something remarkable, swim, eat, and sail back.

The cruise is also a good fit if you want scenery without spending the entire day on dry land. The boats are wide and comfortable, and passengers go barefoot onboard for safety and comfort. Depending on the group, the boat carries up to 30 people on Atlantis or up to 40 on Andreas, although the wider activity can reach 70 people if several bookings operate together.

That capacity matters. This is not an intimate private charter. Still, the yachts are much roomier than a small speedboat, and there is space to sit back between stops. The atmosphere is aimed at relaxation rather than loud entertainment.

Leaving Agios Ioannis at 9:30

The meeting point is at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, on the southwest side of Mykonos. The cruise begins at 9:30 a.m., with a short welcome, basic safety instructions, and an outline of the day. You can also use a QR code onboard for information about the route.

Life jackets are available if you need one or request one. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew early. They can provide a swimming noodle or life vest later at Rhenia.

The boat may be Andreas, an 89-foot gulet, or Atlantis, a 72-foot gulet. Both are described as comfortable sailing yachts rather than bare-bones excursion boats. The crew includes a captain and onboard hosts, with Dimitri and Thomas specifically praised for helping passengers, including someone with mobility concerns. Marissa from Greece Sailing has also helped arrange difficult connections in the past.

If you are staying away from Agios Ioannis, hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged for €20 per person. This must be reserved in advance and paid ahead of time. Pickup usually happens 30 to 60 minutes before departure, and the driver contacts you the evening before to set the details.

Do not assume the transfer is automatic. One passenger nearly missed the boat after failing to arrange a ride, though the operator found a way to help. If you are arriving from a cruise ship or staying in another part of Mykonos, sort out transportation before the day of sailing.

Delos: 90 minutes among Apollo’s ruins

The first major stop is Delos, reached after roughly 40 minutes of sailing. This small island was a major religious center in the ancient Aegean and is traditionally linked with the birth of Apollo. The archaeological area is dated in the tour information to around 3500 BC and is protected as a UNESCO site.

You have about an hour and a half to explore. That is enough time to get a useful look at the ruins, but it is not a leisurely museum day. If you walk quickly and stay focused, you can see a good portion of the site. If you stop often for photos, read every sign, or want a slower visit, the time may feel short.

You can pay €20 for entry to the archaeological area. A professional guided tour is another €45 per person and must be reserved in advance. The basic cruise includes the stop, but not the entrance ticket or professional guide.

I think the guide upgrade is worth considering if ancient sites are new to you. Delos can be hard to read at first. Broken columns, foundations, mosaics, and scattered streets become much more meaningful when someone explains how the island functioned and why it mattered. The onboard escort also gives an overview of Delos, but that is different from a dedicated archaeological tour.

The site can be intensely hot, with little shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. Water vending machines are available near the museum shop, but you should not rely on finding shade whenever you want it.

You can also remain on the yacht instead of going ashore. This is a smart option for anyone who has already seen Delos, dislikes hot ruins, or simply wants a swim and a quiet hour on deck. The flexibility helps make the tour work for mixed groups. One person can explore the island while another enjoys the water.

Sailing to Rhenia for swimming and lunch

After Delos, the cruise continues toward Rhenia, often written as Rineia in the itinerary. The stop lasts about two and a half hours, making it the longest part of the day.

This is where the cruise shifts from archaeology to simple holiday pleasure. The yacht anchors in calm water described as resembling a natural pool. You can swim from the boat, use the supplied masks and snorkels, or float with a noodle. Fins are not included, so bring your own if you use them regularly.

The water is the main attraction here. You may see fish near the rocks, and the clear conditions make casual snorkeling easy. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part, since life vests and noodles are available. Still, you should tell the crew what you need rather than waiting until you are already in the water.

If the day is cool, you can simply stay on deck. The cruise does not force everyone into the sea. The yacht has enough room for sunbathing, sitting in the shade, and watching other people swim.

Lunch is served onboard after some time in the water. This timing works well, since you can swim before eating rather than climbing back onto the boat with a full stomach. The buffet includes grilled pork skewers, beef and lamb kebabs, eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, Greek salad, tzatziki, seasoned rice, and seasonal fruit salad.

The meal is more substantial than the usual sandwich or snack found on a short boat trip. Drinks include water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, white and red wine, and beer. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks cost extra.

The food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple sailing trip. The grilled vegetables give you a real alternative to the meat, and the buffet lets you choose how much you want after swimming. You should still pace yourself if the sea is rough, since eating heavily before a choppy return can make motion sickness worse.

The return sail and the honest downside

The return to Agios Ioannis takes about an hour. On calm days, this is a beautiful final stretch, with open views and a chance to relax after lunch. On windy days, it can be the hardest part of the excursion.

The Aegean is not always gentle. Some departures have smooth water, while others have enough motion to make several people feel sick. The yacht’s size helps, but it cannot remove the effect of weather. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion is less noticeable, watch the horizon, and consider taking your usual remedy before boarding.

Boarding deserves equal attention. The gangplank is not fixed to the dock, so it moves with the boat and water. Crew members help passengers, but you still need to step carefully. This is not the best choice for someone who has serious mobility limitations or feels unsafe climbing over a moving gap.

The crew’s attitude is a bright spot here. Dimitri and Thomas have been singled out for assisting passengers, and the staff regularly check on people and offer drinks. That does not change the physical demands of boarding, but it can make a big difference once you are on the yacht.

The operator watches the weather closely. If conditions are poor, you are told the evening before about changes or cancellation. A canceled departure because of bad weather can be moved to another date or refunded in full.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $151.16 base price includes:

• About six hours of sailing
• Delos and Rhenia stops
• Onboard host or escort
• BBQ and vegetable buffet
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, beer, and water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Personal insurance
• Wi-Fi onboard

You should budget more if you want the easiest version of the day. Hotel transportation adds €20 per person. Delos entry adds €20, and the professional tour costs €45. Those extras can push the total well above the advertised fare, so compare the full cost before booking.

For me, the base tour is good value if you are happy to explore Delos on your own and can reach Agios Ioannis easily. The guided version makes more sense if Delos is a major reason for booking and you want the ruins explained rather than simply photographed.

The cruise also asks for passport, identity card, or driving licence details at booking for personal insurance. Provide a working phone number that can receive internet messages, since the operator uses it for cruise and transportation details.

Who should book this sailing day

I would choose this for someone who wants a full Mykonos day with several different moods. You get ancient ruins, open-water views, swimming, snorkeling, and a cooked lunch without changing tours.

It suits families with older children and teenagers, couples, groups of friends, and people who enjoy being on a boat but do not want a party atmosphere. It also works for mixed groups because Delos is optional in practice. Strong walkers can explore the island while others remain onboard.

I would be more cautious if you have major mobility issues, severe seasickness, or little patience for changing weather. You should also avoid treating this as a leisurely, glassy-water cruise every day. The sailing can be windy and exciting, and boarding may take effort.

Bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a light jacket in spring or autumn. Pack dry clothes if you dislike sitting in swimwear after the water stop. You will be barefoot on the boat, so keep footwear easy to remove and secure.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

I would book it if you want the best mix of ancient Greece and swimming time in one outing. The BBQ lunch, generous drinks, roomy yacht, and attentive crew make the day feel well supplied, while Delos gives the trip more substance than a standard beach cruise.

Choose the guided upgrade if you care deeply about archaeology. Choose hotel pickup if reaching Agios Ioannis is awkward. Otherwise, the basic package offers the strongest value.

Skip it if you need firm ground, quiet seas, or fully step-free access. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to spend six hours around Mykonos, with enough history to engage your mind and enough time in the water to feel like a holiday.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos sailing cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours. It begins at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the meeting point at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis.

Where does the cruise start and end?

The cruise starts and ends at Greece Sailing sail cruises in Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, Mykonos.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged for €20 per person. It must be reserved in advance and paid ahead of time.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. Entry to the Delos archaeological area costs €20 per person and is not included in the base price.

Can I book a professional guide for Delos?

Yes. A professional guided tour costs €45 per person. It must be reserved in advance and paid ahead of time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a buffet with BBQ meat, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, tzatziki, seasoned rice, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, water, white wine, and red wine are included. Beer is also included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Swimming noodles and life vests are also available for people who are not confident swimmers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move the booking to another date. You may also be informed the evening before about changes to the route.